James City film, model train show highlight busy week ahead

Published: Sunday, February 24, 2013 at 07:24 PM.

The New Bern Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America Tuesday at 11 a.m. at 1325 McCarthy Court Independent living apartments.

As a support group, the organization’s purpose is to help people with all degrees of hearing loss to understand their problem, learn how to deal with it, and cope with day-to-day situations.

Tuesday’s guest speaker is Sue Tanea from Hearing Technologies Company. She will explain about the Hearing Loop that was recently installed in the Common Room at McCarthy Court, the location of the hearing loss group’s meetings.

According to the chapter, the Hearing Loop can connect a user wirelessly to the sound system via the telecoil in a hearing aid much like Wi-Fi connects a computer to the internet.

An audiologist can advise if a person’s hearing aid can be adjusted to pick up the loop signal.

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The Craven Community College Black History Month programming continues Wednesday with the historical documentary “Freedom Lost: Restoration, a Black History Documentary,” by filmmaker/writer/director Tom Swift.

The 18th annual model railroad show is Saturday and Sunday at the Sudan Shrine Center in New Bern.

Show times are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $6 for ages 12 and older, with youngsters under age 12 admitted free with an adult. Tickets are good for both days.

There will be a variety of layouts and trains, with exhibitors from Raleigh, Kinston and Onslow County.

Hourly door prizes, food concessions and train equipment vendors are among the offerings. Vendors sell and buy all types of model railroad equipment and answer questions.

There is also a raffle to win a train layout.

Call 638-8872 for information. On the web: carolinacoastalrailroaders.org

Here is a sampling of some of the other events this week:

The Old Theater in Oriental holds auditions this week for the Neil Simon’s comedy “Plaza Suite,” which will be presented in May.

Auditions are today and Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The play has three acts, with different characters in each act. The common bond is the same suite in the Plaza Hotel.

Male and female actors are needed and they can appear in one or both acts.

Volunteers also are needed as stage manager, stage crew and for working with props, set design and construction, costumes, lights and sound.

The production schedule is May 3, 4 and 5. Lynn Whalen will direct the show.

Actors should be prepared to do a cold reading from the script at the auditions.

Call Whalen at 249-0581.

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"Let's Talk About It" returns to the New Bern-Craven County Public Library tonight, with "Explorations of Faith in Literature." The 7 p.m. session’s featured novel is “The Chosen” by Chaim Potok. It is the now-classic story of two fathers and two sons and the pressures on all of them to pursue the religion they share in a way that is best suited to both.

The book is available at the library, and the discussion will be led by Rebecca Godwin of Barton College.

On Tuesday at noon, there will be a “Lunch ‘n Learn” featuring the mother and daughter authors of the book “I Didn’t See Me Do It.” Authors Diana and Holly Parks share lessons and true anecdotes from their book. The book will be available for sale and autographing. Bring a brown bag lunch. Refreshments will be served.

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The New Bern Chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America Tuesday at 11 a.m. at 1325 McCarthy Court Independent living apartments.

As a support group, the organization’s purpose is to help people with all degrees of hearing loss to understand their problem, learn how to deal with it, and cope with day-to-day situations.

Tuesday’s guest speaker is Sue Tanea from Hearing Technologies Company. She will explain about the Hearing Loop that was recently installed in the Common Room at McCarthy Court, the location of the hearing loss group’s meetings.

According to the chapter, the Hearing Loop can connect a user wirelessly to the sound system via the telecoil in a hearing aid much like Wi-Fi connects a computer to the internet.

An audiologist can advise if a person’s hearing aid can be adjusted to pick up the loop signal.

***

The Craven Community College Black History Month programming continues Wednesday with the historical documentary “Freedom Lost: Restoration, a Black History Documentary,” by filmmaker/writer/director Tom Swift.

The showing is from 6 to 8 p.m.in Orringer Auditorium.

Swift invites the public to the free presentation to discover the roots of New Bern and James City’s rich African-American history. There is also a reception.

The film features local African-American leaders Ben Watford, Bernard George and Sharon Bryant.

For information, call 514-0502.

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MJ’s Raw Bar hosts a fundraiser for Project Hope on Wednesday. Local runner Danielle Bisbee Ouano will compete in the 2013 Boston Marathon as a means of raising money for Project Hope.

The 5 to 8 p.m. event will also include a raffle and silent auction.

There are three Bisbee sisters — Danielle, Lisa and Cassie — who will be guest-bartenders. They will donate their tip money to Project Hope.

Project Hope is a non-profit organization that aids single mothers. It provides job training, childcare and emergency shelters to single mothers in need.

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Havelock Public Library hosts “Dance Hall of the Dead.” The program is a “Let’s Talk About It” series presentation Thursday at 6 p.m. at the Cunningham Boulevard library.

It is a library discussion series that brings scholars and community members together to explore how selected books illuminate a particular theme. The Lifetime Learning Center and the library are co-sponsoring a nine-week reading and discussion series. The program is free, but books and space are limited. The series includes five books and five different scholars who will lead the book sessions.

Call 447-7509 to register.

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The Lenoir-Rhyne University A Cappella Choir and College Singers, directed by Paul D. Weber, will perform in New Bern Friday at St. Andrew Lutheran Church.

The 7 p.m. performance is part of a statewide tour for the Hickory-based group.

Accompanying the choir will be Jeana Neal Borman, Lenoir-Rhyne University collaborative artist, and Brandon Burns, junior sacred music major.

The College Singers, a select vocal ensemble from the A Cappella Choir, will appear on the program.

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The Sisterhood of Temple B’nai Sholem in New Bern hosts a gala Fashion Show and Luncheon Saturday at the Doubletree by Hilton in New Bern.

This years’ “Fantastic Fashion Show” features local models and current fashion styles. The event includes lunch, the fashion show and silent auction. Tickets must be purchased in advance to reserve seating.

The doors open at 10:30 a.m., with lunch at 11:45 and the fashion show at 12:30 p.m.

Contact Sisterhood member Diane Siegendorf at 636-1878. The Sisterhood supports the membership of Temple B’nai Sholem.

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Girl Scouts are invited to Tryon Palace for a day of crafts, games and tours during Girl Scout Day on Saturday.

It is designed to help school-aged girls understand how food has defined cultures and traditions over the years. This year’s theme is “Scouting Out Tryon Palace: Historically Fit.”

Early registration is $10 per student, $15 for adults and tickets must be purchased before Thursday. Register by calling 639-3524. Those registering after Thursday, including the date of the event, can attend at a cost of $14 per student and $20 for adults.

“Girl Scout Day” is also associated with Tryon Palace’s yearlong theme of “Fresh from the Past: Food and Culture in Eastern North Carolina.”